Designer Focus: Kenzo

Last week H&M, revealed the first looks from the Kenzo x H&M collaboration. This collection will be released in November this year and follows in the footsteps of Balmain x H&M. So what does Kenzo offer as a relatively new designer brand?

Kenzo represents a mix of European and Japanese fashion influences to create a modern and bold brand identity. Famous for the iconic tiger sweatshirt, which has been worn by the likes of Beyonce, Selena Gomez and Rihanna, the brand is now run by the creative directors of Opening Ceremony. Kenzo was founded by Kenzo Takada, who made his name in the seventies for his loud, colourful knitwear pieces.

The brand is now a French luxury fashion house which collaborates with music artists and various designers to create a very 21st century creative aesthetic. More recently, the company has been praised for the racially diversity of the models representing the brand.

The new H&M x Kenzo collection promotes racial diversity within the fashion industry.

The design diversity of the brand is perfect for the upcoming collaboration with H&M who, like Kenzo, use bold prints mixed with casual yet modern essential items. Kenzo is famous for it’s bold floral and tiger print patterns which are reworked for each collection. For example, the upcoming Fall 2016 collection features psychedelic checks intertwined with the more iconic pattern pieces.

Kenzo AW16

Kenzo also has a strong storyline behind each collection. The current SS16 collection is focused on the idea of a bold and ready traveller, ready to ‘dip’ into whatever summer location she discovers – ‘from voyages to the other end of the world to simply taking the bus to another neighborhood‘. The collection uses prints and design features from many non – western cultures without making them into a costume or an ‘ethnic’ feature.

Kenzo SS16

It’s not just the brand and clothing which is bold, colorful and thought provoking. Kenzo is known for having a ‘jungle fever’ aesthetic to their stores, reflecting the creative design of the brand.

Read More

What Our Clients and Candidates Say

I spoke with Devorah Albert in January this year , and explained that I was looking for a new challenging opportunity. I was delighted when she came back to me quickly ...